BETHANY BEACH, Del. – Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Environment and Public Works Committee, toured important water infrastructure projects throughout Delaware with officials from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Carper toured an ongoing dune and beach renourishment project in Bethany Beach and other priorities in Sussex County.

Senator Carper was joined by Lt. Col. David C. Park,, who took command of the Corps’ Philadelphia District from outgoing Commander Lt. Col. Kristen N. Dahle on July 12, 2019.

“Sea level rise and extreme weather fueled by climate change pose mounting risks to Delaware’s economy and coastal way of life,” said Senator Carper. “Beach and dune erosion threaten our nearly $7 billion annual coastal economy, and inland flooding poses real dangers to roads, homes and businesses throughout the state. As we chart out priorities for the next water infrastructure reauthorization bill, I was glad to have the opportunity to tour these important projects with Lt. Col. Park so he could witness Delaware’s challenges first-hand, and also see the progress of ongoing projects that help keep the First State economy moving. I look forward to working closely with Lt. Col. Park to make sure Delaware’s water infrastructure priorities are addressed and I thank him for touring these sites with me today.”

Last year, President Trump signed into law America’s Water Infrastructure Act, a major bipartisan, bicameral water infrastructure bill co-authored by Senator Carper that advanced key programs and made much-needed legislative changes to support clean drinking water systems, waterways, beaches, and port projects. It directs the Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to make vital improvements to water infrastructure to prepare Delaware – the lowest lying state in the country – for the growing risks of climate change, and included a $75 million program to address critical beach renourishment projects along coastline in Delaware and throughout the country.  

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